HEALTH CAMP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 15 October 1942, Page 2

HEALTH CAMP

TO BE HELD THIS YEAR \SSIH IVITON’S ANNUAL MEETING COST OF STOKE BUILDING The Nelson Children s Health Camp Association at the seventh annual meeting last evening decided to hold a camp during the schools’ Christmas holidays .Mr H. •). Savage (president) occupied the chair ANNUAL REPORT L’he annual report was as follows: — This past year has marked the culminating point of a number of years' effort on the part of the local Health Camp Association, when a Children’s Health Camp was held in a permanent camp building for approximately three months' duration, in a camp completely equipped with every necessary facility Figures to hand show that the total cost of tlie building was £6809, and the cost of the equipment £1347 During the year a new stove was installed and new beds and mattresses supplied to the dormitories and to the staff quarters. ’’The committee's first decision had been to open the camp for the season on 10th December. 1941 but owing to the impossibility of obtaining the necessary staff for that time the opening was postponed to 6th January, 1942. when the camp opened with 50 boys from tlie Nelson, West Coast, and Marlborough areas. Miss Taine was seconded for duty as camp matron by the Department of Health until 6th February. when Miss Garland took over. Under her happy jurisdiction the boys received a very beneficial holiday, the average gain in weight for the period being 51bs 13ozs They were favoured

throughout the six weeks’ camp with splendid weather and returned to their homes on 17th February much improved in general health. On 19th February 45 girls from the three districts were received into camp, and although the weather for the second camp was not quite as good as the first period a very successful camp was held. The average gain for the girls was 3lbs 13ozs, and although not so large an average as the boys, it was very evident that the girls had benefited considerably by their stay in camp. “It may be of interest to record that during camp 12411bs of meat were consumed. 15061bs of bread. 4121bs of butter. 168 pints of ice-cream, and 5896 pints of milk, exclusive of the halfpint supplied daily under the milk-in-schools scheme CAMP COSTS “As will be seen from the balance sheet, the camp costs were £545, the average being slightly undeP £1 2s 6d pe- child per week. Westport and Marlborough contributed £264 to the cost leaving £2Bl to be borne by the Nelson Association, plus £IOO administration costs, repairs and maintenance, and wages for upkeep of grounds, etc Subscriptions, donations, appeals, etc made locally resulted in the collection of only £66, and of parents of the children who were all circularised asking them to donate the cost of keeping their children at home for a similar period, only 14 responded with donations of from 5s to £4 from one parent. This response was naturally very disappointing to the committee, as it had refrained from making any major appeal to the public, and was thus faced with a deficiency on the year’s working of £IOB 10s. To the very many kind friends who contributed gifts of fruit, vegetables, eggs etc., thus enabling the committee to keep expenditure down, we tender our grateful thanks. “During the camp period, visits were made to the camp by the teachers of the primary schools, to whom we are very grateful for their efforts in organising collections of fruit, vegetables, etc., among the school children. ADMINISTRATION On 6th February the Association was favoured with a visit from Mr E. A. Dobbie. of the Advisory Board, and also Miss Bridges, of the Nursing Division, who gave much valuable advice in connection with the administration of the camp. A visit was also paid by Dr. Hubert Smith, Medical Officer of Health, and also by a school Medical Officer from Wellington. Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson acted throughout the camp period as honorary medical advisor. and to him we are particularly indebted for the generous response he gave to all our needs.’’ HEALTH STAMPS In moving the adoption of tlie report, Mr Savage said that the Association was pleased with the result of the past year's work. The executive felt that the work should be continued in spite of the war. The last camp had been very successful, and he hoped that one would be held during the coming holiday season. No public appeal for funds had been made and a loss on the year’s work resulted. He was sorry to say that the Nelson people had not bought many Health stamps and he hoped that this year the people would take a greater interest in them. The first day sales this year were very small. Mr W. Armstrong seconded the adoption of the report. He congratulated the chairman and secretary on the success of their efforts in difficult times. In regard to finances, the Association had lost during the year a sum about equivalent to that which would have been collected by an appeal to the public. However, he considered the parents of the children in the camp should make some contribution. Mr H. J. Thornton, as representative of the Education Department and Education Board, expressed the appreciaI tion of both at the success of the camp | On every side he had heard appreciaj live reference to the organisation and to the benefit to the children. Mr S. W. Street expressed the hope i that the school nurses kept in touch j with children who had had camp treat--1 ment, and that the parents continued to carry on what they learnt from the experience of the children's camp treati ment. 1 EI/ECTION OF OFFICERS The following officers were elected i Patron. Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson; presi | dent. Mr H. J. Savage; vice-presidents }Mr W. A. Armstrong and Mr L. N. Montgomery; hon. vice-presidents. Messrs E. R. Neale (Mayor), G. L Page. Major R. Dagger and Mr S. W. Street: committee. Messrs Savage, Armstrong. Montgomery, L. W. Lockver, A. S. Adam. A Robinson. S. Cannington. S. W Street. F. R. Trask. A. M. Squires. H. J. Thornton. H. M. Tremewan, H. A Colvin, G. L. Page. M. E. F. Airey, Mesdames H. J. Savage. W. Lock, K. C. G. i Henderson F. R. Trask and Chaytor; executive. Messrs H. J Savage. W. A. j Armstrong, H. A Colvin. S. W. Street, | L. Lockver. L N. Montgomery, F. R J Trask, H. J. Thornton. Mrs E. Hudson. | and Dr. Joan Wilfliams; treasurer, Mr i Lockver; secretary, Mrs E. Hudson; hon. I solicitor. Mr C R. Fell; hon. medical ! adviser. Dr J. P. S. Jamieson; hon | auditor. Mr W. R. P. Jaques. QUESTION OF STAFF The president said that the executive wished to hold a camp this year providing staff could be secured. If staff could be obtained a six weeks’ camp would be held with children from the West Coast, Marlborough and Nelson districts. A suggestion had been made that some school teachers might be willing to give their services at the camp during the holidays. Mr Street said he saw no reason why a camp should not be held and he 1 moved that the building be opened this yeai. I The motion was seconded by Mr Arm- : strong and carried. The length of the camp will be dej termined by the staff available, j The Dominion Advisory Board stated that providing a camp was held in Nel-

son a recommendation would be made that £250 be made available for the Nelson association from the J. R. McKenzie Trust Fund. It was decided to accept the offer with thanks. MOTION OF SYMPATHY A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr E. li. Ollernshaw, Postmaster at Westport, was passed at the meeting. The president (Mr H. J. Savage) referred to the great assistance Mr Ollernshaw had been to the association. It had been his intention to come to Nelson and take charge of the Health Camp.